There is one wonderful and correct tradition - to perpetuate the names of people who influenced the course of history. Scientists, writers, commanders, heads of state who have devoted themselves to the struggle for peace, rightfully remain in the memory of the people. Books are dedicated to them, their names are called settlements, streets. Monuments are being erected in their honor.
Perhaps there is not a single city in which it would be impossible to see the monument erected in honor of a famous person.
One such example is the Nizhny Novgorod landmark - a monument to Minin and Pozharsky.
Two monuments
The monument to Minin and Pozharsky, erected in Nizhny Novgorod, is a famous sculpture. It is built in memory of two national heroes. The names of these brave warriors were Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky.
This sculpture is not the only one of its kind. It was made as a copy of the monument, which is located in Moscow on the main square of the country. It was installed in 2005 in the central square of Nizhny Novgorod.
The initiator of the establishment was Yuri Luzhkov. The monument was made by Russian sculptor Z. Tsereteli. There are two differences between the monument, which is located in Moscow, and the one that is installed in Nizhny Novgorod. The original on Red Square is only 5 cm larger than its copy. The inscriptions on them also differ - the date of its establishment is not indicated on the monument in Nizhny Novgorod.
Who were Minin and Pozharsky?
The history of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod began in the Time of Troubles of the Russian state, when Poles occupied Moscow and the country was ruled by Sweden and Poland. At the beginning of the XVII century in Nizhny Novgorod there was a people's militia. It was formed against the Polish occupiers.
The very idea of its foundation belongs to Kuzma Minin, who at that time was a zemstvo headman in Nizhny Novgorod. He was supported by both local residents and local authorities. Prince Dmitry Pozharsky was appointed commander of the militia. The uprising began.
Together, the Nizhny Novgorod people, led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and the headman Kuzma Minin, were able to effectively resist the enemy.
The history of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod
The emergence of the militia, as we already know, is associated with the names of these heroes. The history of the monument to the militias is connected with 1803. Then in Nizhny Novgorod there was a Free Society, uniting zealots of science and art. Members of this society came up with the idea of creating a monument to the heroes of Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod. In the same year, they began to raise money for the implementation of the idea, a competition was announced for the project of the monument.
In 1807, according to the results of the competition, the work of the sculptor Ivan Martos was chosen. It was approved by the reigning emperor Alexander at that time. The establishment of the monument became a very important event for the entire Russian people, since the monument carried the idea of state freedom and unity of the people.
Initially, they wanted to establish it in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, where the people's militia was formed. After they decided to erect a monument in Moscow, since it was of importance not only regional, but also state.
In 2005, a copy of the monument was erected in the homeland of Pozharsky and Minin, since it was from here that a wave of popular perturbation started, which led to the liberation of the state from Polish and Swedish occupation.
Other attractions of the ancient city
Where is the monument to Minin and Pozharsky located? What's next to him? What else can you enjoy? Similar questions are asked by many tourists arriving in these parts.
The monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod is located in the central square, whose names changed depending on the historical period. The square itself is a monument of culture and architecture. Its names are associated with various periods in history.
Near the monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod, you can also see the Kremlin - a historical monument of the city. This is a huge complex that has social, political, artistic and cultural significance.
Near the monument is a huge tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, which is called Ivanovskaya. She was of great defensive importance.
It is no coincidence that next to the monument is an ancient Orthodox church - the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Its history of origin is connected with the 15th century. And during the war, at the main entrance of the Kuzma church, Minin urged Nizhny Novgorod to fight against the enemies of Russian land.